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Jaguars Notebook: Eagles tragedy hits Mike Mularkey hard

The NFL coaching profession is a small community so it wasn't surprising that it was personal for Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey when he heard the tragic news about Andy Reid's son Sunday.

Garrett Reid, 29, was found dead in his dorm room at Lehigh University where the Philadelphia Eagles' coach was conducting training camp.

"I know Andy very well. It's a very sad story,'' Mularkey said.

He said he got to know Reid about a decade ago when they coached against each other in the Pro Bowl.

"We hung around together and my wife and his wife talk frequently. His wife Tammy is very helpful to all head coaches wives, but especially to the new ones and new additions. She goes out of her way to help the wives transition, trying to tell them what's coming and what to expect. She's a fabulous woman,'' he said.

"It affects anyone who has children,'' said Mularkey, who has two sons, one of whom, Patrick, is a strength assistant for the Jaguars.

Still holding outThe holdouts of Justin Blackmon and Maurice Jones-Drew reached their 11th day Sunday with no progress reported.

"I have not heard anything,'' Mularkey said.

Mularkey noted that when Blackmon does sign, he has to go through a three-day process when he can't be in pads and can only do the walkthroughs.

"That's the way it is. We're playing by the rules,'' he said.

When asked if he's getting concerned about Blackmon's absence he said, "Again, we're trying to get the guys that are here working their tails off. Trying to get them better every day. If we can do that, we'll be OK."

Guard problemsGuard Jason Spitz sprained his foot in the scrimmage and will be out two or three weeks. Since Will Rackley is out three to four weeks with a high ankle sprain, the team is so thin at guard that Drew Nowak was switched from defensive line to guard and undrafted rookie Mike Brewster, a center, is working with the first team at guard.